Supporter



y 9, 1939- J. J. KEYS 2,157,454

SUPPORTER Filed Feb. 7, 1938 James .1 Keys INVENTOR ATTORNEY!) Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in means for supporting portions of the human body and more particularly toan improved type of arch supporter, useful in treating conditions of the metatarsal region of the human foot.

It is among the major objects of the present invention to provide a new and improved type of supporting means adapted to be positioned beneath the foot and between the tarsus and phalanges thereby the metatarsus can be maintained in proper and healthful position and undesirable distortion thereof can be at least largely minimized.

Notable among the features of the device according to the present invention are, that it serves to distribute pressure due to the weight of user, over the sole instead of localizing same at the ball of the foot, thereby at least diminishing fatigue and also assisting in the normal and proper development of the pedal appendage.

It is also an important feature of the device according to the present invention, that the supporter itself is substantially flexible and readily adjustable to accommodate variations in foot contours whereby it can be adapted with ease to suit the requirements of different users.

It is another feature of the device according to the present invention that it combines, in one structure, the useful and heretofore substantially unique qualities of foot pads with the features of an arch supporter whereby, in the adjustment and fitting of the arch supporter, variations in the contour of the sole of the users foot can be taken into consideration.

Other objects, advantages and features of the device according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art during the course of the following description wherein a specific embodiment of the present invention, herein illustrated, will be described, it being clearly understood however that the illustrated preferred embodiment is given solely by way of example and is non-limitative.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is substantially a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it being understood of course that, in actual practice, a pair of supporters would normally be used although, to simplify the drawing, only the supporting member for the left foot is herein illustrated.

Fig. 2 is substantially a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along the line 2-2 Fig. 3 is substantially a bottom view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is substantially a top plan View of one of the auxiliary padding elements to be used in conjunction with the supporter illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is substantially a sectional view of Fig. 4 taken along the line 55.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects, the present invention comprises a member essentially coextensive with, and conforming in contour to, a sole portion of the human foot, adapted to be positioned between the tarsus and phalanges, and provided with means for supporting the metatarsal portion of the foot.

In order to facilitate a fuller and clearer comprehension of the matter of the present invention, the herein illustrated preferred embodiment thereof will be hereinafter described. Referring now to the drawing, wherein it of course will be understood that although the device herein il lustrated is especially suited for use on the left foot, a similar device can be provided for the right foot if desired, it will be noted that the device comprises essentially, a body portion generally designated at l0, substantially conforming in outline to the contour of the sole of the human foot between the tarsus and phalanges, one end portion ll of said body [0 being adapted to being positioned nearest the phalanges and the other or curved end portion l2 thereof being adapted to being positioned nearest the tarsus portion.

The body member I 0 is preferably formed of substantially flexible, though durable material such as, for example, leather or the like, it being understood, of course, that if desirable the leather can be surface coated and/or impregnated with material such as synthetic resin or the like, or provided with cloth facing, backing, or reinforcement, to improve the appearance of the device or tomodify the wearing qualities thereof.

Near the end portion l2 of the member I0 a depression, generally indicated at I3, is provided, adapted to receive and cooperate with the heel or the tarsal portion of the human foot while the device is in use. The other end portion of the member l0, generally indicated at H, is provided with an upwardly protuberant cup-like formation, generally indicated at I4, wherein is positioned a pad-like cushion member l5, substantially as shown, it being understood that the member 15 is substantially fixedly positioned within a closed pocket-like formation in the member l0, whereby relative movement of the members l0 and I5 is at least largely precluded.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, wherein these details are best illustrated, it will be noted that the resilient pad-like cushion member I5 comprises a shape, formed of resilient rubber-like material, substantially circular in outline and provided with an essentially curved upper surface l6, and a comparatively fiat lower surface I! whereby a section taken along the line 5-5 or any other diametrical section of said member l5 will present substantially the appearance illustrated in Fi 5.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention it will be observed that the member In comprises a shaped sheet-like element l8, formed of leather or the like as hereinbefore alluded to, and having attached thereto a facing of felt or similar fabric 89 whereby a resilient, flexible though durable composite structure of pleasing appearance is produced.

Means for supplementing the pad-like cushion member 55 and for assisting in adjusting the device to conform with various contours of the human foot will now be described. The end portion H of said body member ID is provided with a flap or pocket-defining portion 20, shown in phantom in Fig. 1, the outline of which conforms in contour to the outline of the end portion of said member IE] and is sewn thereto along the outer edges thereof, whereby only the edge portion 2i remains unattached to said member ID thereby defining an opening 22. It will be seen then that, if desirable, apparent distribution of padding in the end portion H of the member [0 can be altered by introducing padding into the pocket defined by the end portion of said member and the cooperating member 20. If it appears desirable to alter the padding in this manher, other pads similar or equivalent to the pad 65 can be positioned within the pocket.

Intermediate between the end portions H and !2 of the member ID and fixedly attached thereto is a resilient spring-like plate 30, attached near the end portions thereof to said member by means including fastening members 3|. The plate 30 is upwardly curved to conform with and provide support for the longitudinal arch of the human foot preferably is positioned substantially to one side of the center of the member as shown, to more effectually produce this desirable result.

In use, the supporting member II] is commonly employed in conjunction with its complementary member adapted for use in treatment of the right foot. The devices are positioned within the foot gear with which they are to be worn, whereby the portion thereof, corresponding to the portion [2 of the illustrated device, is positioned nearest the tarsal portion of said foot gear and the end i l of said member is positioned nearest the front or toe portion of said foot gear, the device being positioned, of course, so that the plate 30 curves upwardly in the metatarsal region. It will be observed that when the device is so positioned, with the foot of the user thereon, the users weight will be substantially uniformly distributed over the sole of the foot Without producing undue pressure upon the so-called ball portion thereof and without causing disarrangement or distortion of the toes from normal position. It will be observed too, that the resilient spring-like plate 35) will be positioned substantially directly beneath the longitudinal arch of the foot, thereby maintaining the arch thereof in supported, normal and healthful condition.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A. device of the character described comprising a sheet-like body member substantially conforming in contour to the contour of the sole of a human foot and having portions thereof adapted to being positioned adjacent the tarsal portion and other portions adapted to extend toward the phalanges of said foot, the end of said member nearest the tarsal portion being provided with a depression formed therein, adapted to receive and cooperate with the tarsal portion of the users foot, the opposite end of said member being provided with relatively stationary resilient padding forming an upwardly protruding surface adapted to assist in the distribution of pressure from the foot of the user over portions of the sole and in relieving fatigue due to excessive pressure upon the ball portion of the foot, an upwardly curved arch supporting member fixedly attached to and positioned near an intermediate portion of said body member, said supporting member comprising a plate of relatively resilient material curved upwardly near a central portion thereof and attached, near the edges thereof, to said member by fastening means passing therethrough, and means permitting the alteration of the contour of the padded portion of said member whereby to augment and alter the effect of said relatively stationary pad.

2. A device of the character described comprising a sheet-like body member substantially conforming in contour to the contour of the sole of a human foot and having portions thereof adapted to being positioned adjacent the tarsal portion and other portions adapted to extend toward the phalanges of said foot, the end of said member nearest the tarsal portion being provided with a depression formed therein, adapted to receive and cooperate with the tarsal portion of the users foot, the opposite end of said member being provided with relatively stationary resilient padding forming an upwardly protruding surface adapted to assist in the distribution of pressure from the foot of the user over portions of the sole and in relieving fatigue due to excessive pressure upon the ball portion of the foot, an upwardly curved arch supporting member fixedly attached to and positioned near an intermediate portion of said body member, said supporting member comprising a plate of relatively resilient material curved upwardly near a central portion thereof and attached, near the edges thereof, to said member by fastening means passing therethrough, and means permitting the alteration of the contour of the padded portion of said member comprising a pocket adapted to receive auxiliary padding material and retain same in a relatively fixed position formed near said end portion of said body member next adjacent the phalanges of the users foot.

3. A device of the character described comprising a sheet-like body member substantially conforming in contour to the contour of the sole of a human foot and having portions thereof adapted to being positioned adjacent the tarsal portion and other portions adapted to extend toward the phalanges of said foot, the end of said member nearest the tarsal portion being provided with a depression formed therein, adapted to receive and cooperate with the tarsal portion of the users foot, the opposite end of said member being provided with relatively stationary resilient padding forming an upwardly protruding surface adapted to assist in the distribution of pressure from the foot of the user over portions of the sole and in relieving fatigue due to excessive pressure upon the ball portion of the foot, an upwardly curved arch supporting member fixedly attached to and positioned near an intermediate portion of said body member, said supporting member comprising a plate of relatively resilient material curved upwardly near a central portion thereof and attached, near edges thereof, to said member by fastening means passing therethrough, a pocket adapted to receive auxiliary padding material and retain same in a relatively fixed position formed near said end portion of said body member next adjacent the phalanges of the users foot, said pocket comprising a tab of material, attached around the outer edges thereof to the outer edge portion of said body member, whereby said auxiliary padding means can be inserted in said pocket to augment and alter the effect of said relatively stationary resilient pad;

JAMES J. KEYS. 

